Why are my pecans not developing?

Probable Causes for Nuts Failing to Fill Failure of nuts to fill is caused mainly by insect and disease damage to leaves and an inadequate number of leaves. Drought also causes failure to fill, if it occurs late in the growing season.

How can you tell if a pecan tree is healthy?

Examine the bark of your tree with a magnifying glass and a penknife. Bark that is split vertically or peeling, but exhibits yellow, moist wood, is only a sign of rapid growth. But if the bark splits vertically and the wood beneath is gray, it is a sign of damage due to freezing. Examine the ground around the tree.

What does an immature pecan look like?

Young pecan tree leaves often look the same as the leaves of many other types of trees, making it a challenge to identify them while the plants are immature. The leaves of pecan trees also look a bit like fern leaves, although several other nut trees also produce fern-like greenery. Note the location of the tree.

How do you treat a diseased pecan tree?

If you have an established orchard of susceptible cultivars, the best way to manage scab is to implement a fungicide spray program to reduce the rate of disease. There are several other fungal diseases that can infect pecan, but they are usually controlled when using a fungicide spray program to control pecan scab.

How big should the rows be for a pecan orchard?

The initial tree spacing recommended is 40 feet by 40 feet. This spacing allows 27 trees per acre. Pollinator rows should be no more than eight rows apart (320 feet) and should remain in position after tree thinning.

What should I look for when planting pecan trees?

If irrigation is not possible, a small-nut pecan should be planted. Disease resistance, earliness of budbreak, date of nut maturity, cold hardiness, kernel quality, bearing consistency and depredator susceptibility should be considered for each particular location.

What kind of pecan trees are in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, the main pecan production is from native trees. However, several benefits are associated with planted orchards. Either cultivars or seedlings may be selected, depending on the grower’s goals. Straight rows in planted orchards facilitate maintenance, irrigation and harvest.

What kind of soil do you need for a pecan orchard?

These alluvial soils are good for pecan production, but uplands with deep well-drained soils and proper management also can be productive. Observe existing vegetation and trees for an overall observation of soil health. Soils should have at least 36 inches of soil with good aeration.

How old does a pecan tree have to be to bear fruit?

Pecan trees do not bear fruit until they are between the ages of four and 12 years old and that is determined by the cultivar. Unfortunately, research out of UF/IFAS indicates that the cultivars that produce within four years have a low percentage of nuts as compared to those that take 10 to 12 years to mature.

Why do pecan trees not produce nuts every year?

This paint helps to protect the trunk from extreme temperatures, herbicides, and insect damage for the first three years. Pecan trees do not produce the same amount of nuts every year.

What kind of tree is a pecan tree?

Open grown pecan trees have massive trunks and oval or rounded wide spreading crowns of branches that extend far down the trunk. Forest trees have a straight trunk and compact, pyramidal crowns. It bears within 6-10 years of planting. The crops of sweet nuts are abundant and contine regardless of age.